A community service project is underway by VFW Post 539, as a way of paying back the community for its longtime support. Care for veterans is important, however, funding is limited, according to Commander Bill Goodner.
VFW Post 539 offers use of medical equipment to community
A community service project is underway by VFW Post 539, as a way of paying back the community for its longtime support. Care for veterans is important, however, funding is limited, according to Commander Bill Goodner.
“We get about $300 a year for our share of the membership. That’s it,” he said. “So we have a flag fundraiser around Veterans Day. We do the Buddy Poppy for Memorial Day, and that’s the sum of our income.”
Even with those limited funds, the organization helps out in every way that they can. One of those ways over the years has been loaning medical equipment to those veterans that are in need.
Goodner stated they have a fair selection of items such as crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, beds, several electric hospital beds, toilet seats, and more. Once the items are no longer needed or in use, they are returned to the VFW post for storage.
“The citizens and the merchants here have been very generous,” the commander said. “We couldn’t stay in business without them.”
Many of the items have been donated from other veterans, and even former Mayor Jennifer Munholland.
Due to the dwindling number of calls from veterans to use the equipment, Goodner stated at their last meeting, the Post decided that, as a way to thank everyone for their support, they would begin a community service project. This equipment loan program will now be open to anyone seriously in need.
“We decided that as a payback to the citizens here, if there’s anybody in town here that needs medical equipment if they can’t get it, just give us a call, and if we have it, we’ll make it available,” Goodner said. “If they can’t come get it, we’ll take it to them. All we ask is that they take care of it, and when they’re through with it, they just call back and then we’ll go back and get it.”
Goodner, along with the rest of the leadership team and members agreed that instead of letting the items sit and ‘go to waste,’ better use would come from offering it to the community.
“In our mind, it’s a crime for it to sit there,” Goodner said. “If citizens out there need something and do not have it, we’re gonna make it available to them and well, it’s just, in a sense, it’s payback for all the help they have given us.”
Those seeking assistance with equipment will need to contact either Commander Goodner at 918-510-1727 or Sr. Vice Commander Hugh Jackson at 918-650-2443. There will be a vetting process to ensure the items are definitely needed, and all other resources have been exhausted.
Veteran Service Officer Tricia Bear is still available for veterans needing assistance in any way.
VFW Post 539 meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. The post home is located on South C Street just north of the football field.
